March Favourites - with a twist!

This month I thought instead of posting favourite products, I'd shout out a few of my favourite brands of March 2013. I had quite a few favourites from a few different brands, so I figured it would be better to group them together for you.

So, without further ado, here they are, in no particular order:

Dove:

I particularly like their new pure antiperspirant, which they snet me to try out last week. As you all know, I've been working out like a maniac, trying to get in shape and build my stamina for Tough Mudder in September. A hard-training girl needs a hard working deodorant, and this one doesn't disappoint. I'm really pleased with its performance, and I'll continue to use it well into the future. It takes care of my skin at the same time! Multi-purpose products always get a really big thumbs up from me. Stay tuned for a proper review of this product next week.

Australis:

You guys know that I have a soft spot for Australis, because they were one of the first cosmetic brands I ever used, and because they are kind to animals, and they have really awesome products, all under $20 each. That's just a massive winning combination in my book, and the fact that their newest products dropped in March and are amongst my top picks EVER, meant that they HAD to be included in my favourites this month.First, we had the curve ink eyeliner, which is awesome. Then the bronzing primer, which is innovative and amazing, the pout pastes which rival most top end brands in colour payoff and stay-put-ness, and then there's their new perfume sprays, which I haven't reviewed yet, but are really lovely.

Australis are onto some really awesome new things. I'mm looking forward to seeing what's next for them.

 Lonvitalite:

So, about a year ago, I tried their 24K gold face mask, and I fell in love with it. At the time, they cost almost $60 for 5 masks, but I still thought that they were worth it.
Since then, more recently, they have reworked their entire business plan and not only are they far more easily available on their website, but they have more than halved the price (They are now less than $30 for 6 masks). They've also restructured everything and you can buy packs that have every eye, face and hand mask that they make for an unbelievable $20! I've bought so many of these masks in the last month, because I'm using them as a special reward when I have really good days in training.
I'm really pleased with the new Lonvitalite, and I really hope that the new plan is working for them, because I intend to continue purchasing their amazing products.



Essence:

I just discovered these guys when I was in Target the other day. I was surprised by the quality of their product for its amazingly inexpensive price tag (most of their products are in the$2-5 range).

I've tried out their concealer pen, eyeliners and eyeshadows, and I'm really impressed. I know you guys like a bargain, so get out there and have a look for essence products. You definitely won't be disappointed for the price.

 MAC:

My tried and trusted high-end brand. I've invested in a few more eyeshadows, some pencils, lipsticks and even a mascara, which MAC are not particularly praised for, but I really love my Plushlash mascara. It has an almost rubberised finish to it, and it lengthens, adds volume and generally fills out my lashes beautifully. It then doesn't run if I watch a chick flick and cry my eyes out, which is always a bonus.

My favourite day-to-day eyeshadow look right now consists of A wish come true from their "A tartan tale" collection, and Spectacle of yourself from their "Mega metals" collection.

I love MAC products and will continue to add to my collection as I'm able.

Last but definitely not least:

"What is this mix of brands?", you say? Well... this is my most favourite brand of all. Dollar Cosmetic Club!

Everything in this picture, brand name items, Lancome, Maybelline, L'Oreal, Rimmel, Revlon, all came from Dollar Cosmetic Club and they all cost me $1 each!
Yup, just a buck, for awesome brand name products. You've seen me review them before, so you know the deal and I've assured you of its legitimacy, so they definitely make my favourites list for March, because they had some really sweet deals that I took advantage of.

So, what was your favourite brand or product in March? Let me know in the comments section do that I can try it out too!

BARGAINS! Another awesome DCC haul!

And it's all eyeshadow this time!

There have been some really great deals lately from Dollar Cosmetics club, and I've been particularly interested in picking up some great quality eyeshadows in particular, for very little cost.

For those of you who haven't read my other posts about Dollar Cosmetic Club and Cosmetic Corner, they are basically a very cheap way to purchase quality cosmetics. Sometimes, they are really high end brands for as little as $1.

 Take for example, this Lancome eyeshadow quad.

This is a very high end brand, in good, relevant colours, for the very affordable price of $1! I got two of these, and gave one to my mother, who was very grateful, and including the $5 shipping charge, they set me back a whopping $7. Total. Exactly the same deal was had on the L'Oreal Project Runway quads pictured above. Those ones I received in two different colours, which is always a good thing, but not always a guaranteed thing. You don't get to choose your colours, but I've never had a product from DCC that I couldn't use, or that I thought was really awful.

Last of all, there's my bargain buy from their other company, Cosmetic Corner. They have a store online where you can buy what you want from several high end and pharmacy brands at really affordable prices (like my Elizabeth Arden Eyeshadow quad, for example). I picked up these two MAC eyeshadows for about half the usual cost in store, and I chose my colours from what they had in stock. I plan to do a makeup look based around these colours next week, so stay tuned for that one.

They also have some really super cheap makeup packs on offer at Cosmetic Corner. Well worth a look.

Check them out:

www.dollarcosmeticclub.com.au

and

www.cosmeticcorner.com.au

Gloss Goss: Katy's spring picks

It's no secret that I lovelovelove pink lipgloss. It forms an important part of my signature look. Here are some of my fabulous favourites for spring:

Natio Rich colour cream gloss in Happy is a deep, rich pink with a shimmery sparkle to it that really makes my lips pop!

BYS diamond shine gloss in Precious is an all-year-round favourite of mine that blends exactly to the natural colour of my lips to just give them a slightly deeper colour.

Benefit Posietint is a poppy-coloured lip and cheek tint in an almost salmon hue that I use for my lips and to give my cheeks a little boost when I don't want a blushed-up look.

Australis Plumptastic is for the times when I want a little boost in the fullness of my lips. It tingles and plumps up my lips while giving me a light pink tint.

MAC Dazzleglass in Smile is a lovely nude-ish salmon colour with a slight lustre to it, it was my very favourite lipgloss for many years, and has now fallen into my regular lineup all year round.

So there you go, my favourite pink lipglosses for spring!

What's your favourite gloss?

Most of these products were purchased by me, however, the Natio gloss was provided to me for review by the lovely people at Natio. My opinions are always my own, and it has earned its way into my favourites completely on its own merit.

All about: BB cream

 Today's post comes courtesy of my very dear friend Elizabeth, who asked me on facebook "Katy, what on earth is BB cream?". It's becoming really, really popular, yet so many people have no idea what it is or how to use it. I admit that I did have to do a bit of research myself to get to the roots of BB cream, because it seemed to appear on the western market out of nowhere, but I got to the bottom of it, and here's what I now know:

BB cream was developed in Korea, where traditional western foundation formulas are often too heavy and pore-clogging for the women, whose ideal is to have clear, clean, porcelain-like skin. Many BB creams, particularly the ones made and market by asian compaies, contain whitening agents.

BB cream was originally marketed as an all-in-one product, replacing serum, moisturizer, foundation and sunblock. The tint is often mineral-based.

BB stands for Blemish Balm, Beauty Balm or Blemish Base. It actively helps to clear the skin of blemishes whilst providing SPF (check your brand for individual specs) and a light foundation base.

Here's how you use it:

Start exactly like a foundation. Use a clean sponge, or clean fingers to apply it, then either leave it (will give you a slightly dewy look), or finish with a powder (for a more matte finish with more coverage).

So, which local brands are offering BB creams?

Most of them, actually, but here are a couple that I found that I liked. The Garnier BB Cream comes in regular and oil free formula, and retails for around $14. The Natio BB Cream is really lovely at around $15. Last, but not least, the high end brand M.A.C. have a gorgeous BB Cream at around $50.

Most BB Creams are available in Light and medium tones, and some have dark tones, too, to suit every complexion.



I think the days of heavy foundation base for everyday wear are numbered. When you find a product that not only gives you a foundation base coverage, but actively treats your skin, you're onto a winner!